Heavy pollution source of concern on Bali beaches
Heavy pollution source of concern on Bali beaches
I Wayan Ananta Wijaya, Contributor, Kuta
Bali is renowned as a haven for surfers, swimmers and beach
lovers. Its beautiful, white-sand beaches attract millions of
visitors to the island.
Just visit Kuta beach: You will find hundreds of surfers
riding the waves, while others lie on its white sand waiting for
the sunset.
Despite its beauty, Bali beaches, especially those located in
Badung regency, were reported to have been polluted by heavy
metal and other chemical substances including ammonia (NH3),
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), lead (Pb) and
copper (Cu).
During the rainy season, the Pb level reaches 0.033 to 0.034,
or 1,650 to 1,700 times the tolerable level of 0.00002.
During the dry season, the Pb level reaches 0.058 or 2,900
times the tolerable level.
According to a study conducted by Suyasning HI and team from
the school of medicine at the University of Udayana, the high
level of Pb in the water could affect people's health. It can
penetrate the human body through contaminated water or food and
be absorbed via the skin or respiratory system.
"It can cause health problems such as anemia and lung
disease," the study revealed.
"Pb poisoning can affect the nervous system. It can also cause
mental and intellectual problems, especially with children,"
Suyasning writes.
Kuta beach is also reported to have been polluted by other
hazardous chemical substances such as NH3, NO2 (see table).
Unfortunately, this important report, released in 2004, was
not widely publicized.
"We just don't know that Kuta beach has been polluted by
certain chemical substances. The Badung regional government
should immediately make this public to prevent people from
suffering various health problems," said Made Dwipayana, a
student at the technical school at Udayana University.
In addition to Kuta beach, the report says that there are
other polluted beaches, including those at Tuban, Kedonganan,
Jimbaran, Sawangan, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Legian, Canggu,
Petitenget and Pererenan in Badung regency.
The most polluted beaches include Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua and
Legian beaches (Pb, Cd, Cu, NH3, N0 2, phenol and oil).
Ironically, those beaches have become the island's favorite
tourist attractions.
Wayan Suarna from Bali Environmental Parliament Watch has
urged the regional government to take immediate action to fight
pollution. "The regional authority must be strict and take harsh
action against those who violate the decree," Suarna said.
Suarna found the the pollution was mainly caused by
inappropriate processing of waste material from various tourist-
related establishments including hotels, restaurants, businesses
as well as households.
"The pollution problem is very serious since it affects the
island's most precious natural resource -- its beaches. It will
have a serious impact on Bali's environment and the tourism
industry," he said.